Tag: depression

Collage of pictures with the themes of trauma, loss, recovery, return to wellbeing,

From Tragedy to Prevention: Lessons from the Reiner Family and America’s Crisis of Violence

Written by Ron Parks, MD on December 23, 2025. Posted in Addiction, Commentary on Health and Well-being, Depression, Grief and Loss, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, Mental Health, Public Health Issue, Recovery, Trauma. No Comments on From Tragedy to Prevention: Lessons from the Reiner Family and America’s Crisis of Violence

The Loss of the Reiners: A Cautionary Tale

The tragic and shocking news report

The recent knife attack that resulted in the deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, shocked the global community. Both were widely known and admired for their remarkable contributions to the entertainment industry, their generosity to various causes, activism to support others’ rights, and their advocacy for democratic organizations. Rob Reiner was especially beloved for his memorable acting roles and the classic, creative films he directed. Despite their public successes, the Reiner family faced personal challenges familiar to many families with disabled or emotionally struggling members—especially those dealing with substance use disorders and related mental health issues.

Collage of pictures with the theme of renewal and healing from depression, the flowing river, joy, and wisdom.

Don’t Push the River: A Father’s Awakening to Nature’s Reality

Written by Ron Parks, MD on December 10, 2025. Posted in Depression, Dreamwork, Grief and Loss, Happiness, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mental Health, Mood, Personal Growth, Spirituality & Health. 1 Comment on Don’t Push the River: A Father’s Awakening to Nature’s Reality

Embracing Life’s Ebb and Flow

A Father’s Journey Back to Himself

My father, then in his seventies, was sitting a short way off from me on the sandy, gravel-like beach that bounded a wide, rapid-flowing river that ran from the mountains through the bottom of the national park where we were staying. The impressive, mighty flowing river absorbed all your thoughts into its splendid displays of power, freedom, nature’s natural beauty, and almighty presence. The morning light emanating from the sky, awakening the senses to the river’s enormity and nature’s presence, seemed to softly filter through curtains of mental fog and preoccupations, like a whisper. He appeared for the first time in weeks to release his tension and despair, the sense of loss, and hopelessness. Now he radiated the spirit of someone who had found his soul and regained his footing and sense of purpose.

Collage of pictures in remembrance of Holocaust and lessons of inclusion, acceptance and collaboration, to not to repeat the tragedy of the past.

Commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2024—A Chilling Reminder

Written by Ron Parks, MD on January 29, 2024. Posted in Grief and Loss, Hate Crimes, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, Mental Health, PTSD, Public Health Issue, Social Media, Spirituality & Health, Trauma.

The stark recall of the experience of mass torture and slaughter of a multitude of innocent citizens is a lesson of grave concern today.

Collage of six picture of peoples journey from midlife crisis to vitality and thriving.

Finding the way from a midlife crisis

Written by Ron Parks, MD on September 28, 2023. Posted in Commentary on Health and Well-being, Death and Dying, Depression, Grief and Loss, Happiness, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Mood, Post by Guests, Spirituality & Health, Trauma.

Navigating from a life-challenging period of depression and suicidal thoughts to purpose and vitality—strategies to help.

My father’s surprising revelations.

When I was a teenager, my father shared with me, as we were walking one day, that he was amazed at an encounter earlier that day with a friend of his who had come to him for support and guidance. The friend told him he had been having suicidal thoughts and was very upset with what he thought were significant losses and challenges in his life. I don’t know what my father told him, but his friend felt relieved and left in an improved mental state, feeling that he had been listened to, supported, and unburdened by his deepest worries and fears.

collage of nine pictures with scenes of traumatic events and realization of the way to happiness and thriving.

Unlocking Happiness: A Journey of Recovery and Transformation

Written by Ron Parks, MD on September 12, 2023. Posted in Commentary on Health and Well-being, Depression, Happiness, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Personal Growth, PTSD, Recovery, Spirituality & Health, Trauma.

Exploring Mental Health, Trauma, and Self-Belief for Personal Growth and Happiness

09/07/2023 Video Podcast, Podcast interview with Rob Hosking

The following are excerpts from my 09-07/2023 Video Podcast, Podcast interview with Rob Hosking, where we delve into the inspiring story of Rob, a former frontline police officer who underwent a profound transformation after his traumatic experiences. Rob’s journey led him to become a motivational speaker, specializing in happiness and mental health. Through sharing his own struggles with depression and mental health, Rob aims to empower individuals to overcome challenges and discover their true potential for happiness and resilience.

Rob’s two main areas of expertise are happiness and mental health. He is a motivational TEDx Speaker on happiness, mental health, and workplace well-being.

Collage of 6 pictures: the concentration camp and the captured, searching for meaning, peace, a solder with PTSD, and spiritual awakening.

Unraveling the Unfathomable: Capturing the Essence of Profound Experiences*

Written by Ron Parks, MD on July 29, 2023. Posted in Addiction, Anxiety & Panic, Commentary on Health and Well-being, Depression, Expert Mentor-Guide, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mood, neuroscience, Personal Growth, PTSD, Spirituality & Health, Uncategorized.

Impactful experiences critically affect a person’s choices, life direction, meaning, and perspective.

Finding the right words to describe the indescribable

Difficulty describing profound and highly impactful events is a challenge for most, as words cannot capture the essence and totality of the happening. There are talented writers, poets, spiritual masters, and philosophers who have come close to conveying the mystery and otherworldliness of personal and profound, unique experiences. Experiences can be momentary, powerful, ecstatic, liberating, and enlightening, or painful, life-threatening, tragic, traumatic, and damaging. The event can occur over time with duress until circumstances change.

Collage of impactful experience with pictures of ecstatic peak experience in natural setting, or with assistance, and traumatic life threatening events.

Impactful moments that critically affect life and well-being

Written by Ron Parks, MD on July 28, 2023. Posted in Anxiety & Panic, Commentary on Health and Well-being, Depression, Getting Things Done, Happiness, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mood, Personal Growth, PTSD, Spirituality & Health, Trauma.

Enlightening expansive experience can be an accelerator for change and growth

A dynamic, momentary, or more prolonged experience can alter and mold your life and its expression.

Any of us can recall certain impactful events that may have significantly impacted our life experiences and choices. Today, for instance, was boiling and muggy with overhead threatening storm clouds and a distant rumble of an approaching thunderstorm. It took my mind back to a past eventful summer’s day. I was seventeen and had worked hard that summer, earning enough to have my first car, and began dating my childhood sweetheart, my future wife. My older brother, who was working with a seasoned builder and involved with a construction project, hired me for the summer to assist the job superintendent with whatever help he needed. I felt both lucky and proud to be relied on for everything that came up. I remember one of the heavy equipment drivers who was always bragging about his smooth ways and dating life. He would tease me about being green behind the ears and maybe a little spoiled.

Collage of pictures representing choosing and decision making, karma and result, and a building imploding, and woman of wisdom.

The Art of Decision-making for Successful Outcomes

Written by Ron Parks, MD on July 2, 2023. Posted in Anxiety & Panic, Commentary on Health and Well-being, Depression, Getting Things Done, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, Mood, Personal Growth, PTSD, Trauma.

My mother’s wise advice, the tragic vacation to see the Titanic wreckage, decision-making, and my close calls

A mother’s advice on travel and finding answers, meaning, and perspective

Once in my youth, not too long after beginning the stress and challenging times of medical training, I told my wife one evening in our small cozy apartment, “I need to take some vacation time off to wrap my head around all these current demands and changes. I need a break to gain perspective on the meaning and purpose of my newly chosen medical career path.” My wife and I agreed, so we planned and then set off on a long drive to a yoga retreat center in the mountains to meet, learn, and do practices with a popular and well-known yoga teacher.¹

Collage of 13 pictures with theme of writer's block, and return to creative production and flow; one picture reminds to listen to your inner voice.

Surmounting Writer’s Block

Written by Ron Parks, MD on June 10, 2023. Posted in Commentary on Health and Well-being, Creativity, Depression, Dreamwork, Expert Mentor-Guide, Getting Things Done, Happiness, holistic mental healthcare, Meditation/Mindfulness, Neurodiversity, Personal Growth, Spirituality & Health.

The critical steps to reignite inspired creativity, growth, and productivity.

Writer’s Block Strikes

I was returning from a vacation and felt guilty about not working on or beginning a new newsletter article. Every time I would sit down to start, I would find myself distracted and doing other things or just feeling tired or overwhelmed by the immensity of the task with all its components. Some basics of the task even felt too difficult, such as coming up with new material, doing the research, working through the succession of drafts, multiple edits, and the final publishing process.

Collage of pictures of recreational and assault guns and people with mental illness and anger

Mass Shootings—Too Many Guns or Mental Health Problems

Written by Ron Parks, MD on May 26, 2023. Posted in Depression, gun violence, Hate Crimes, holistic mental healthcare, PTSD, Public Health Issue, Social Media, Uncategorized.

Resolving the political divide on the causes and solutions of active or mass shooter incidences may be in the link between mental health, depression, lethal weapons, and media influence.

There has been a lack of progress in passing new legislation and regulations to help curb the increase in mass shootings of innocent people. Tragic loss of life from mass shootings or active shooter incidences is now an almost daily occurrence and increasing. People feel helpless and angered that our elected officials, for-profit businesses, and organizations can’t have fruitful discussions or surmount their partisan stuck talking points and biases.¹